Chapter 7. Choi Seon-yeong

Chapter 7. Choi Seon-yeong

I can see a massive back in the distance.

Even from behind, I’d recognize him instantly.

That man is the Team Leader of Sales Team 1 at my company.

I vaguely remember seeing his stats during last year’s health check-up: 189 cm tall, weighing around 92 kg.

His appearance is quite masculine, so he can be a bit intimidating at first glance.

Perhaps because of his strong presence, many people glance our way when we’re out together.

Honestly, my first impression of him when I joined the company was quite scary too.

‘With a look like that, he’s a salesman?’ I remember thinking.

After knowing him for a few years, I realized he has a kind personality.

At first, I thought he was a bit insensitive and cold.

But the longer I’ve known him, I’ve come to feel that even if he isn’t overtly gentle, he’s very considerate of those around him.

“Team Leader Kim! Ugh, that smell. Please stop smoking so much. Why does it seem like you’re always smoking whenever I look for you?”

I approached Team Leader Kim, who was left alone after the Director departed.

It was raining, and I figured if I didn’t go, he’d end up cleaning up by himself in the rain.

He dislikes complaining or making demands to employees younger than him.

He apparently thinks if he gives too many instructions or talks too much, he’ll be called an ‘old fogey’.

From my perspective, employees just find him a bit difficult to approach, not that he’s ever actually been treated like an old fogey.

Anyway, he’s the type who prefers to do everything himself.

Now that I think about it, was he perhaps saying that for my benefit?

Team Leader Kim is thirty-four this year, and I’m a bit younger than him.

My exact age is a secret.

Sometimes, it’s quite amusing to see Team Leader Kim talking with other male employees.

He seems to be trying to be friendly.

When Team Leader Kim puts his arm around a subordinate’s shoulder and talks, you can see the person stiffen up.

He doesn’t seem to realize it himself; he just looks satisfied when the other person replies with even a slightly awkward smile.

Personally, I think Team Leader Kim is a really great colleague.

He’s responsible, and he genuinely tries to be considerate of those around him.

He doesn’t pry into personal matters.

But in turn, he also avoids talking about himself.

Over the past few years, we’ve had many conversations at company dinners and such.

Yet, I’ve never heard him talk about his family or his school days.

Everyone knows he’s friends with the Director and that he used to be an athlete, but beyond that, it seems no one knows anything else about him.

“What the f*ck. Seonyoung, stay here for a moment.”

It was the first time I’d ever heard Team Leader Kim swear.

I saw him sprint off, his face grim.

I had the illusion that the ground was shaking.

Team Leader Kim had already reached a distant tent.

Wow.

I saw an employee get kicked by Team Leader Kim and sent flying.

So, a person really can float like that.

It looked like the aftermath of a car accident.

I should hurry over too.

I don’t know what’s happening, but it’s definitely not normal.

“Don’t come! Back! Run back! To the Parking Lot road!”

It truly wasn’t normal.

How can I describe it? The world changed in an instant.

Still, I consider myself lucky.

Being with Team Leader Kim, I feel like we’ll manage somehow, even in this chaotic situation.

Having someone to rely on helps me calm down a little.

If I were alone, I’d probably be even more panicked than I am now.

Or I might have already fallen victim to a Zombie.

“Seonyoung, it’s dangerous, so let’s get down for now. And please keep an eye on the Parking Lot entrance. See if anyone’s turned into a Zombie, or if there’s anything else unusual.”

Unfortunately, the Director had turned into a Zombie.

I know they were very old friends, and I wonder if he’ll be okay.

If I’m this sad, how must Team Leader Kim be feeling?

I could see Team Leader Kim’s shoulders trembling as he crouched.

I should pretend not to notice and keep a little distance.

Even for someone who seems so strong, today must be incredibly difficult.

I tried to steel my resolve.

Just as Team Leader Kim was for me, I hope I can be a source of comfort and support for him, even if just a little.

“Seonyoung. Hide quietly behind this. That person’s walking strangely.”

I heard a low whisper.

Team Leader Kim wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close.

His hand was so big, it felt like it covered half my shoulder.

It’s a bit random, but one good thing about being alone with Team Leader Kim like this is that I look small. My face looks smaller, and my body looks slimmer.

This time too, Team Leader Kim returned after dealing with an employee who had turned into a Zombie.

It’s even harder when it’s someone everyone knows.

I should help, but my feet feel glued to the ground.

It’s scary, but it’s even harder because it was someone I knew.

And Team Leader Kim, who had looked so weary, seemed to have made a decision, his eyes changing.

Looking into his eyes, I also thought, ‘The living must survive.’

I can’t just passively receive help like this.

So, I grabbed Team Leader Kim, who was walking ahead.

I followed Team Leader Kim and picked up a Baseball Bat.

“Seonyoung, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

A Zombie had just lunged at me.

Trusting Team Leader Kim, I desperately used the Baseball Bat to prevent myself from being bitten.

Team Leader Kim looked at me with concern.

Hmm… Until now, I’d only thought of him as a good colleague. But now, for some reason, his sweaty, grimy appearance looks cool.

I’m still scared of Zombies, but I feel a little better now.

Having someone reliable is truly good for one’s mental health.

I was about to say I was fine, but… Team Leader Kim, who kept fidgeting and checking on me, looked a little cute.

My goodness. To think I find that giant adorable. Is the world getting weird, or are my eyes?

“Ah, Seonyoung. Have you been waiting long?”

Team Leader Kim emerged right as I finished showering and, of all times, called out the Status Window.

Team Leader Kim seemed to have dismissed the Director’s last words.

So, despite my embarrassment, I made an effort to speak up and told him to check his Status Window.

I know Team Leader Kim was looking at my ears.

He didn’t need to stare like that; I was already embarrassed enough.

But seeing Team Leader Kim’s cheeks slightly flushed, it seems he was embarrassed about being in his underwear.

By the way, his forearms are incredibly thick too. It seems all of Team Leader Kim’s body parts are large and thick.

“I wish we had an umbrella. I guess I’m asking for too much.”

After a short rest, we decided to go check the rooftop as well.

When I threw off my Blanket, he couldn’t take his eyes off me.

He seemed to be trying hard not to look, but his eyes weren’t cooperating.

Even that look is cute. Ah… I thought ‘cute’ again.

And then, hearing him talk about Schneider’s Cat and repeatedly asking whose cat it was, I found that cute too.

Perhaps it’s because he’s showing an unexpectedly clumsy side.

To hide my feelings, I pretended to glare and mumbled something evasive.

Then he started looking for the cat he’d named himself.

That’s not it, Team Leader Kim.

“Seonyoung, it’s too cramped, isn’t it? You must feel stifled, are you okay?”

My eyelids felt so heavy.

It had been an absolutely insane day.

If I’m feeling this way, how exhausted must Team Leader Kim be?

He should be resting as comfortably as possible, but… Seeing Team Leader Kim hesitate and sit uncomfortably made me feel uneasy.

I’m worried since we’ll likely be moving a lot tomorrow too.

In this situation, I can’t be shy just because I’m a woman, or be the only one comfortable.

I need to take the initiative. I truly have no ulterior motives.

Truth be told, I’d never spent an entire day stuck with a colleague like this before.

It’s a secret, but there was a male employee who used to hit on me, so I’d always tried to keep my distance from company people as much as possible.

However, in just one day, I feel like my heart has opened up a lot to Team Leader Kim.

It’s true that I’m developing feelings for him.

My usual type is a handsome, idol-like man, but strangely, Team Leader Kim is quickly growing on me. It feels like a bear is lumbering its way into my heart.

Clinging tightly to Team Leader Kim’s body, I feel incredibly warm and safe.

I’m old enough to know things, and I can certainly tell that Team Leader Kim is a healthy man.

It’s awkward, with something strongly asserting its presence against my stomach.

And I can’t exactly move it.

But now isn’t the time.

Everyone must have experienced it. That situation where your eyelids just won’t obey.

Now, it’s truly a physical limit.

Actually, I did have a little bit of a different intention. But I really can’t help it.

Sorry, Team Leader Kim.

Next time… And good night.

I was too embarrassed to open my eyes.

Since it’s been an emergency situation since yesterday, I’d resolved not to be picky or embarrassed about anything.

But no matter how much I tried to steel myself, my appearance was just too terrible.

It’s hard to comfortably accept someone else staring at my messy, unkempt hair and grimy face, still with sleep in my eyes.

Still, I have to get up, right?

Actually, I’d been awake for a little while.

I peeked open my eyes slightly and saw Team Leader Kim looking at his lower body with a satisfied expression.

Startled, I immediately closed my eyes again.

“Did you sleep well, Seonyoung?”

Seonyoung must be the name of my chest. Team Leader Kim was talking to my chest.

I could have covered it, but I stayed still, pretending to be nonchalant, so he wouldn’t feel awkward.

Actually, I’m a little confident about it.

Since I’ve seen plenty of things too, I figured we were even, and started preparing for the day.

I was hungry, worried about my family, and my muscles ached all over.

Truthfully, I’m still scared, and part of me just wants to hide away like this.

I know. I have to go out.

Looking at Team Leader Kim’s back, I tried to gather my courage.

If he weren’t here, what would have happened to me alone?

Team Leader Kim, let’s do our best today.

I don’t want to die yet.

I’m trying to be helpful, but I know I owe him my life.

Thank you.

When the opportunity arises, I must tell him this.